Adjustable garment structure



F 1951 M. D. NEILSON 2,541,713

ADJUSTABLE GARMENT STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 25, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Feb. 13, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

This invention relates to a garment and particularly to a slip-on garment adapted to be suspended or supported from the waist of the wearer, such as a bloomer, pajamas, slacks, trousers, skirts and similar forms of garments adapted to be supported at the Waist line It is an object of this invention to provide a garment having portions divided by vertically extending openings at the sides of said garment adjacent the Waist part thereof, a channel formed at the inner side of one or both of said portions adjacent said waist part and a tape or cord, such as an elastic cord, extending through said channel and secured at its ends to the ends respectively of the other portion.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a slip-on garment comprisin two portions separated at opposite sides of said garment by vertically extending openings at the waist part of said garment, one or both of said portions respectively having channels secured at their inner sides adjacent said waist part, and an elastic cord, preferably of endless form, extending through each of said channels respectively and secured at its ends to the ends of the other portion respectively.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a slip-on garment having a front portion, a rear portion, said portions being separated at the sides by openings extending vertically downward from the top of said garment at the waist portion, said portions preferably overlapping, loops secured to the ends of one of said portions respectively, a channel secured to the inner side of the other of said portions at said waist part, and an elastic cord extending through said loops and through said channel, said cord having its ends connected so as to be endless and adjustable and thus having substantially parallel strands extending through said channel.

It is still another object of the invention to provide such a garment as set forth in the preceding paragraph, together with a channel formed at the inner side of the other of said portions, loops secured to the ends of said portion having said first mentioned channel therein, and an elastic cord extending through said last mentioned loops and through said last mentioned channel, the ends of said cord being connected so that said cord is endless and has substantially parallel strands eX- tending through said last mentioned channel.

It is still further an object of the invention to provide a slip-on garment comprising a front portion, a rear portion, said portions being separated at the sides of said garment by openings extending vertically from the top of said garment downwardly at the waist portion thereof, elastic or other means connecting said portions so that said portions can be moved relatively to each other, and a pocket at the side of said garment carried entirely by one of said portions, preferably the front portion.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which Fig. 1 is a top plan view looking down into the garment, the sides of the garment being turned outwardly;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken substantially on line 22 of Fig. 3, a portion being shown in top Plan view;

Fig. 3 is a partial view in side elevation of said garment;

Fig. 4 is a partial view similar to Fig. 3 shown on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 3, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3 shown on an enlarged scale and showing a modification;

Fig. 7 is a partial vertical section taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a partial view similar to Fig. 1, showing a modification; and

Figf'9 is a partial view similar to Fig. 1, showing a further modification.

Referring to the drawings, a garment I0 is 1 shown, which garment will be of the slip-on type. Such garments are generally constructed and arranged to be supported by or depend from the waist of the wearer and comprise such garments as bloomers, pajamas, slacks, trousers, underwear, etc. Such garments usually comprise leg or skirt portions, but in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, only the upper part of the garment is shown. Said garment 10 comprises a front portion Ma and a rear portion lllb. Portions Illa and lllb are separated adjacent the waist part of the garment by vertically extending openings I00 shown as extending from the top of the garment, and said portions preferably are arranged to overlap. While either portion could be at the outer side, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated the rear portion is shown as having its ends disposed within front portion Illa. A tube Hid, which will be made of the same or other fabric as the remainder of the garment, is

disposed at the inner side of portion Illa at the waist part and adjacent the top of the garment, and said tube is secured to portion IIla by a suitable seam. Tube IQd is preferably formed in two parts separated by a space We preferably disposed adjacent the center of tube Illd. Loops I are secured to the ends of portion Iflb at the waist portion thereof and are substantially horizontally alined with tube Id, and while these loops could be variously formed, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated they are formed by folding a narrow tape which is secured to portion Illb. The openings through loops I0 preferably extend vertically. An elastic cord II. passes through tube IOd, then through loops IUf respectively and then back through tube I'Ild; said cord having its ends secured together in any suitable manner, as by a knot Iilg, which knot will preferably be disposed in the space Ille, as shown in Fig. 1. Similarly a tube IE2 is secured to portion Illb at the inner side and adjacent the top thereof, said tube being secured to portion I Ilb by a suitable seam. Loops I07, similar to loops Illf, are secured to the ends of portion Illa, the openings therein extending vertically, and an elastic cord I2 extends through tube I02, through the loops I87, then back through tube I62, the same having its ends connected in any suitable manner, as by the knot IUk which will be disposed in a space lilm formed by spaced portions of tube I02. Cords I I and- I-2 are the well known type comprising one or more strands of rubber covered by a woven casing of fine thread. Portion IUb is provided with openings Ifih which are similar to button-holes and are horizontally alined with the tapes or loops Iilf preferably have their long dimensions extending vertically. The strands of cord I2 pass through said openings I-Oh. Garment IE3 is shown as having a plurality of keepers Illn secured to its outer side adjacent its top which are adapted to receive a belt. In the garment shown a side seam I80 extends downwardly from the bottom of opening Ific. A pocket IIlp is provided and said pocket is carried entirely by one of the portions lila or IE1), and in the embodiment of the invention illustrated it is carried by portion lea, said pocket having an opening extending along parallel to opening Illc. While said pocket could be variously secured, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated it is secured at its top by a line of stitching IIlq to the waist-band of the garment, and is also secured by a short line of stitching I ilr adjacent opening IIlc. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated there is a pocket provided at each side of the garment. Garment It! has a waist-band formed by reversely folding a strip of material, the same being secured to garment I0 by a line of stitching Ills. The side seam I00 of one leg of the garment extends. downwardly at one side of opening I00. Pocket Iiip could be secured at its top by seam Ifl's, which could also secure tubes Illd.

With the described structure it will be seen that relative motion of portions IEia and IIlb. can be had by merely exerting pressure thereon which will stretch the elastic cords II and I2. The earment can thus be. easily drawn over the hips or if of skirt. form put on over the head, and when the waist-band portion thereof is released, the cords II and I2 will contract and the. garment will fit nicely about the waist of the wearer so as to be held in position. The present structure is an improvement on that shown in applicants Patent No. 1,963,334, granted June 19, 1934. The. cords II and I2- used in the present, structure. function more efiiciently than the elastic tape 37 shown in the said patent. It will also be noted that the cords I I and I2 can be readily removed by untying the knots m and Iiilc. It may be desirable to remove these cords when the garment is being cleanedor laundered. Should the cords become stretched or frayed by wear, they can also be readily replaced and renewed. It will be noted that the cords pass loosely through the loops I0 and Illj so that the strands of the cord are equalized and there will be the same tension on both strands. Elastic cord has much more elasticity than does elastic tape so that the garment can be more. easily gotten into and the elastic cord stands up much. better under Wear than does the elastic tape. The" elastic cord can also be nicely adjusted to the waist of thewearer when the knots Iflg and Illk: are formed so that the garment has exactly the right fit. This of course could not be done in the structure of said patent. The present garment is also much easier to manufacture than was the garment shown in said patent. The elastic cord having much more elasticity: than elastic tape also makes a more comfortable garment for accommodating movements of the body and breathing.

In the. embodiment: of the invention shown in Figs. 6 and 7, a channel is formed by the waist:

band of the garment, which waist-band is. formed by folding a strip of material reversely with its folded edge at the top and securing it to'the garment by a seam Hl'w. The. cords II and I2 are disposed in the channel formed by the waist-band. Openings IIlhh are formed to permit passage of cord I I out of the channel of the. waist-band. Otherwise the structure is the same as shown in Figs. 1 to 5.

Tapes or other inelastic members could be used in place of the cords [I and. I2. Tapes or other inelastic members it. could be secured to the ends of cords I I and I2, as shown in Fig. 9, and be used toform the adjustment when the connecting knot is tied. The tapes I5 could be pulled upon to contract. the garment to the right fit after it is put on and the endsthen tied together. The garment woul then be suitably adjusted to be supported from the waist. Such a structure would be suitable for a person having unusually large hips and would effect a saving of elastic cord. If wholly inelastic tapes I6 were used, such as shown in Fig. 8, there would of course be no yielding of the garment. Such latter construction might be preferable insome garments. The tapes could be pulled upon and thegarment adjusted as desired before being tied. The tapes of course would be of considerable. length: and could be tied in abow.

From the. above description it will be seen that I have provided a very much improved and highly efficient structure of slip-on garment. The waist portion of the garment with the cords is very elastic and the garment can be entered with the greatestease. The. elasticity of the cords is amply sufficient to hold the garment nicely in, position. As above. stated, the. cords: can hev easilyadjusted to suit. the individual wearer of the garment. and the.- garment is exceedingly comfortable and permits: movements of the body and breathing Without any objectionable tightness- As. stated, the elastic cords are. easily removed which may be desirable. when the arment. is to be. laundered or cleaned and they can be readily removed and replaced; when worn. As set. forth, inelastic. members; which. may have; their ends. tied, could be used in. place. of the elastic cords. The garment very nicely accommodates the. pocketswhich are not in any way interfered with by the expansion and contraction of the garment. The described structure is very suitable for use in garments supported from the waist, as womens slacks, shorts and pajamas, mens pajamas and underwear shorts, childrens pajamas, shorts and slacks and in various forms of trouser garments, as well as in skirts which are supported by the waist. The garment has been amply demonstrated in actual practice and found to be very successful and efficient.

It will of course be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, ar

rangement and proportions of the parts, Without departing from the scope of applicants invention, which generally stated, consists in a garment capable of carrying out the objects above set forth, in the parts and combinations of parts disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A slip-on garment comprising two portions connected so as to form a pair of vertically extending side openings at the waist portion of said garment, a channel formed at the inner side of both of said portions extending circumferentially thereof at said waist portion, loops having vertically extending openings therein formed at the ends of each of said portions and an endless elastic cord extending through each of said channels and extending through the openings in said loops at the ends of the other portion, said cord thus being endless and having parallel strands in said channel and being movable in said loops so that the tension on said strands is equalized.

2. A slip-on garment comprising two portions extending about the front and rear of said garment respectively and connected so as to form a pair of vertically extending openings at the waist part of said garment at the side portions thereof, a channel formed at the inner side of one of said portions extending circumferentially at said waist part said other portions having loops adjacent its ends and an endless elastic cord having substantially parallel strands disposed in said channel, said cord passing through said loops and being movable therein whereby the tension on said strands is equalized.

3. The structure set forth in claim 2, said channel having two parts separated by a space and said cord having its ends connected in a knot, said knot being disposed in said space whereby the length of said cord can be easily varied and said cord can be easily removed.

4. A slip-on garment comprising a front portion, a rear portion divided from said front portion by vertical openings at the sides of said garment adjacent the waist part of said garment, said portions overlapping at said openings, loops secured to the ends of one of said portions respectively and the other of said portions having a channel formed therein about the waist part thereof, and an elastic cord passing through said loops, disposed in said channel and having its ends connected so that it has parallel strands disposed in said channel and is endless, said cord being movable longitudinally in said loops and channel so that tension on the strands thereof is equalized.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4, said portion having said channel therein having openings extending therethrough adjacent the ends of said channelthrough which the strands of said cord extend.

6. A slip-on garment having in combination,

and through said channel, said cord having its ends connected so as to be endless and thus having parallel strands extending through said channel and being movable through said openings to equalize tension on said strands.

7. The structure set forth in claim 6, a channel formed at the inner side of said other portion, said first mentioned portion also having .loops secured to its ends having vertically extending openings therethrough, and an elastic cord extending through said last mentioned loops and through said last mentioned channel, said last mentioned cord having its ends connected so as to be endless and having parallel strands extending through said last mentioned channel and being movable through said openings to equalize tension on said strands.

8. A slip-on garment comprising two portions connected so as to form a pair of vertically extending side openings at the waist part of said garment, a channel formed at the inner side of one of said portions extending circumferentially at said waist part and an elongated endless member extending through said channel and movably secured respectively to the ends of the other portion, said elongated member having ends at an intermediate point in said channel which may be adjusted and tied together so as to vary the waist dimension of said garment.

9. The structure set forth in claim 2, said cord having inelastic portions at its ends which may be tried at a point intermediate of said loops to connect the ends of said cord.

10. A slip-on garment comprising two portions extending about the front and rear at the waist respectively and being connected so as to form a pair of vertically extending openings at the sides of the waist part of said garment, a channel formed at the inner side of one of said portions at said waist part, said one of said portions having vertically extending openings formed therein adjacent said first mentioned openings extending from said channel to the outer side of said portion and a small elastic cord extending through said channel and through said last mentioned openings and being movable in said last mentioned openings thus having two strands in said channel, loops formed at the ends of the other of said portions through which said cord extends, said cord being movable in said loops and. in said channel, said cord having ends tied together and disposable in said channel so that the length of said cord may be varied to vary the Waist dimension of said garment.

11. A slip-on garment comprising two portions each extending partially about the waist of the wearer and connected so as to form a pair of vertically extending side openings adjacent the waist portion of said garment, a channel formed at the inner side of each of said portions extending circumferentially thereof at said waist portion, said portions each having loops formed at their ends in horizontal alinement with said channels and an elastic cord having parallel strande disposed in eachmf' said and extending throughthe loops, at the other portion, said cords; being endless and. movable; in said loops and channels whereby said cords. can ad.-

STATES: Babe-TENTS:

Number 829,944 998,774

just themselves in said. channels. and; loops. to 5 1.963 334 Number Name Date Breckenridge Sept. 4, 1906 Howenstine July 25, 1911 Neilson V June 19, I934 FQREIGN PATENTS Country Date- Great Britain Aug. 18., 1942 

